The Dolores River flows for more than 200 miles through southwestern Colorado, starting high in the San Juan Mountains and descending to its confluence with the Colorado River near the Colorado-Utah border. In an average snowpack year, the river is boatable from late April to early June, while in a dry year, there may be no boatable flows at all. The Dolores flows through five major western life zones, from the Alpine Life Zone at its headwaters to the Upper Sonoran Life Zone along much of its lower reach (from 6,400 to 5,000 feet in elevation).

BOATER INFORMATION

Permits

While private permits are not required for boating the Dolores River within Colorado, the BLM does require all boaters to register at one of the access points.

Group Size Limit

25 people from Bedrock to Gateway

Required Equipment

All overnight boating parties on the Dolores River are required to use:

Porta-potty for human waste

Strainer for dishwater

Tarp or scrim material is recommended for use as "kitchen" flooring

Firepans for all open fires

Flows

Flows on the Dolores are dependent on snowpack and releases from McPhee Reservoir, located 12.5 miles upstream of the Bradfield launch site and controlled by the Dolores Water Conservancy District. Be sure to check current release and flow information before planning your trip.

This 44-mile section drops 460 feet with an average gradient of 10.5 feet per mile. The five-mile long Paradox Canyon has several class III to IV rapids. Just below this, the Dolores meets the San Miguel River, which often nearly doubles the flow volume. The wider Mesa Canyon below here is paralleled by Colorado Highway 141 and contains rapids no more difficult than class II.

Access Points

The Bedrock access is just south and west of the Bedrock Bridge. Facilities include a launch ramp, parking, picnic tables, grills and shelters. There are no toilets or potable water. Camping is allowed but is very primitive.

Other river access is possible along a dirt road in Paradox Canyon, several places along the San Miguel River, and Colorado Highway 141.

The Gateway access is upstream from the Colorado Highway 141 bridge near Gateway.

Dolores River Guide: This publication covers 173 miles of the Dolores River from the Bradfield launch site to the confluence with the Colorado River in Utah. This 92-page waterproof guide includes detailed topographic maps showing river miles, campsites, and launch sites as well as other useful information. It is available in Colorado from the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores at (970) 882-4811, the San Juan Mountains Association in Durango at (970) 247-4874, the USFS Dolores Ranger District in Dolores at (970) 882-7296, local retail bookstores, boating shops, and several mail-order suppliers.

COMMERCIAL OUTFITTERS

The following commercial outfitters are currently authorized by the BLM to operate on the Dolores River: